A new speed camera which can catch drivers using their phone or eating behind the wheel has arrived in Britain.

The 'yellow vulture' cameras have new LED infrared equipment that allows them to catch a lot more in addition to speeding, including those who aren't wearing a seatbelt, who are using their phone, eating, drinking or even smoking behind the wheel too.

We are used to the usual yellow box speed cameras that can be spotted in various towns or cities across the country, but this camera will looking completely different - which means some drivers may not even know when they are passing one.

As originally reported by Devon Live , the cameras are placed facing oncoming traffic, while an accompanying LED box system is placed around 20 yards before them.

These cameras, which are part of the new Safety Camera Partnership, have started to appear on the streets on Plymouth already, with more expected to follow around the country in the near future, Essex Live reports.

How do average speed cameras work?

The multiple cameras (at least two) are set at separate locations along a stretch of road (at a minimum 200m apart) and are synchronised to record the exact time that each car passes using number plate reading technology.

Then a computer will work out the average speed between the cameras to determine if the car was over the speed limit.

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Some people wrongly think that each camera records a driver's speed as they pass each camera before the computer works out the average speed as the car passed every camera - this explains why some drivers think they can speed up between the cameras and slow down as they pass them.

But doing this is likely to land you with a fine - the cameras simply record the time you pass them and the computer works out how long it has taken you to pass the distance between them.

The new 'yellow vulture' traffic cameras have already been installed in Plymouth along with infra red LED lights (Image: Plymouth Herald / SWNS.com)

Do the cameras work at night?

Yes. They are fitted with infra red illuminators to ensure they work night and day, and all weathers.

Can the cameras run out of film?

No. Unlike some other speed cameras, average speed camera information is saved to a computer.

Can the cameras catch motorbikes?

If a vehicle changes lanes will they avoid any fines?

No. The cameras calculate for lane changes. But this myth can mean people dangerously switch lanes increasing the chance of crashes.

If a driver passes more than two sets of average speed cameras in a sequence while over the speed limit, will they be fined more than once?

The new cameras will look different to what drivers are used to (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)

This is unlikely. Only certain cameras in the sequence are usually 'paired', so where, for example, there are four in a sequence it may be your speed between the first and third that is recorded, or the second and fourth or first and fourth, and so on.

But you will not know which ones are recording your number plate at any time.

Where there are separate sections of the same road where average speed camera zones are in force, however, a driver would be committing separate offences by speeding through each one.

If you are less than 10 per cent above the limit, will you get a ticket?

It has been commonly assumed by many drivers over the years that you will not get a ticket so long as your speed does not exceed the limit by more than 10 per cent plus 2mph. This is because of guidance to officers from the National Police Chiefs Council.

Several police forces nationwide have indicated that drivers can expect far less leeway, as cameras become more accurate - and the law states that a driver can receive a ticket as soon as they have exceeded the limit, even if it is only by 1mph.